SWING SET IS HERE!!!!!

We have a new swing set and it is the most exciting thing ever. The boys are lucky enough to have the best PopPop in the entire world who got them the biggest present (literally) ever a new swing set for the back yard. It is fantastic and they love it. It was installed last Friday and when the boys came back from school there were major ooooh and aaaahs from the backseat as they saw it for the first time. After getting him barely out of his car seat - little Nino went running over like it was his long lost best friend and the play has not stopped yet. As most of you know it has been quite poor weather around here - but if it is literally not raining you can find us there playing. Mama loves it as well because she pulls up a chair and watches, mediates when she has to and enjoys the sunshine.

Nino continues to be scared of nothing and insist on doing everything and anything including crawling up the giant slide backwards..... Alessandro is in love with his new fort and loves climbing up and staring into the telescope watching the clouds and poor Oliver.

Think it is easy to say the boys love the swing set and want to give PopPop a big thank you for their "fun house." We all love it and can not wait to share with PopPop and all our friends who are close by - come over anytime - the fun in in the backyard.... XOXOXO

P.S. Yes Daddy has lots of leaves to rake already - who can believe it is fall already????

P.S.S. The bottom where you can see ADL sitting will soon be his sand box - this is very exciting to him. We have not added the sand as the cover is back ordered and we are trying to avoid it becoming a large litter box for the cat next door who spends more time in our yard tormenting Oliver then his own. Soon sand and trucks to be added.... Yippee!!!!

Town Day Fun -

This weekend was also the Town Fair which is always a good time. The boys love it because there is literally a "Hot Rod" show right down the street and lots of carnival games and good food right here. We went for about an hour on Sunday and the boys loved it. We saw some friends and neighbors, lots of cool cars, yet another bounce house and a small Thomas train that we even got to ride on. Am not sure if the boys understand this was a special occasion but think they are loving their little town a lot these days.... XOXO

P.S. We also saw our beloved firemen from the town - of course they came dangerously close to calling out a certain man in the red suit (a funny story for another time) but we still love them anyway. Also they tried to sign David up to Volunteer - guess the next best thing to George Clooney as a firemen is one's own husband - huh??? :)

St. Paul's Cookout -

There was a Family Cookout this weekend at St. Paul's. This was a fun outing for all the kids at St. Paul's and their families to get together for fun and good eats. We are so excited. The even better part of all of this is that Mama Duck was the Chairman of the event and had lots of work to do pre-, on-site and post to make the event happen. Of course lots of parents and teachers helped out (thank goodness the art crew came or we would of had a lot of rainbow face painting) to make the event fabulous. The boys came with Daddy and managed to entertain themselves on the playground and in the fun moon-bounce. In addition to all the jumping there was good food, crafts, face painting, tattoos, crafts and the Sheriff's department who fingerprinted the little ones - Note we have told Antonio this is the LAST time we expect to see this and the next time we might not be as happy. Think it was fun for Alessandro to show Antonio the playground where he spends so much time. It was a beautiful day and a fun one for all - the best part I think for them was the delicious cupcakes - I do not know where they got their love for sweets...... Now that the event is over - look for Mama Duck to catch up on emailing and blogging which was sadly lacking in time and effort for the past month. XOXOXO

All The News - Antonio -

We do not usually like to break down the news and photos but there has been so much going on and so many stories to tell this seemed like the easiest way. Antonio is 18 months and solidly going on three at the moment. Nino also had his first day of school this month and seems to love Mother's Morning Out as much as he did last year. The ladies there really take great care of him and treat him like a spoiled grand baby. There is only a problem when another baby there is hysterical and then Nino launches into fun tantrum of solidarity. Overall he is doing great there and it does allow one morning to be totally alone which feels weird as Moma keeps looking into the back car seats.

Nino has also started his fun fall activity gymnastics at the Y - his big brother loves this class and still talks about it so we knew he would be right at home. Of course he has quite a different attitude then brother that he has no fear of anything and wants to do anything he possibly can. So he swings from the bars, walks on the beam and about scares Mama to death with all the fun. He also came home from the first time and literally passed out on the floor next to Oliver exhausted.

Nino is talking up a storm and seems very verbal - he is also in love with animal sounds and can Moo, pant and honk - anything else that he does not know he just says "cluck cluck" and does his best duck impression.

If you notice it in the photos Nino also took a tumble this week off the couch - he is okay but does have a scratch and bruise on his little face - looks like Evil Knievel is really going to test all the boundaries. Luckily knock on wood the little bull seems pretty tough to date. XOXO

P.S. This should make even Jennifer who never thinks there are enough photos of Nino (the sad second born) happy. :)